Politics and the Media

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Total of 120 hours

Politics and International Studies, Sociology or Media and Communications at Level 1

Students who have completed POLS20026 Media, Politics and Society are not permitted to enrol in this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject examines the role of the media in the contemporary politics of Australia and similar countries. Topics covered include theories of the media in democratic politics, how news is manufactured, the power of news media to set the public and political agenda, the impact of television and ‘new’ media on politics, ‘spin’ and PR methods used by politicians and pressure groups to manage the media, and case-studies of how politics is represented.

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• be able to assess the influence of different interests in media construction of news;
• be able to critically evaluate media representations of political and social relations;
• be familiar with the social organisation of the media.

A written assignment of 1000 words (25%) due during the first half of the semester, a written assignment of 1000 words (25%) due mid-semester, and a written essay of 2000 words (50%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to demonstrate critical thinking and analytic skills, through research and written communication;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, both orally and in writing;

• display awareness and understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of the media and of our place as researchers;

• have gained experience in using basic research tools;

• be familiar with theoretical approaches to the media.

Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts Students.